Apple To Help US Schools by Giving $100M For ConnectED Program

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) cares about young people and their education. Tim Cook and his company believe a solid education is the foundation to life. That is why Cook recently announced plans to improve schools with technology.

Apple believes in technology and education

On Monday, he made a public appearance in Montgomery, Alabama. During this appearance, he talked about his company’s plan to contribute to President Obama’s ConnectED initiative to help improve technology in all public schools in the United States.

Earlier this year, the Cupertino-based tech giant pledged to donate $100 million to help disadvantaged students. At the time, Apple provide minimal information about its contribution. On Monday, it was announced Apple would help 114 schools in 29 different states with large populations of African-American, Hispanic, Native American, Alaskan Native, and Asian descent. The goal is to give each student an iPad as well as each teacher an iPad and Mac. Classrooms will also be supplemented with Apple TV boxes. Apple will also team up with outside partners to create academic courses for Apple TV.

Apple’s contribution to education

Many tech companies in the Silicon Valley region garnered a lot of criticism over lack of charitable efforts. However, some companies are trying to make a difference by ramping up efforts for charitable endeavors or at least taking it public. It’s apparent Cook’s recent speech had an important meaning. He grew up in the deep south where his father worked in shipyards and his mother took care of the home. He graduated 32 years ago from Auburn University with a degree in industrial engineering.

Cook said of education, “It was education that allowed me to stand on the shoulders [of giants] and dream big. And with dreaming big, combined with hard work, anything became possible.”

Apple has long promoted the use of iPads and Macs in schools. Education and technology go hand in hand. The future is technology and it’s important to use smart products to encourage kids to get into tech.